Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"Good. About the ritual I mean. I just... It's really easy to have decided something is impossible or out of reach once, then never revisit the actual determination again. Even when things change.' Varric jerks a shoulder. "Hate to see you be unhappy because of that if I can help it. Actually, new thought- what about a prostitute? 'When in doubt, hire an expert' is one of my long held rules."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene lowers their head. "This one would not feel right asking someone to... partake in an act that disgusts them for money."

[Varric]

Varric smiles faintly. "You realize most of them don't care, right? Not saying that they aren't people or anything, just that it's their job. It's rare that someone likes every customer or client regardless of what profession they are. You being respectful, kind and gentle puts you in the top quarter right off." Owning, for all intents and purposes, a brothel has been an education (I never wanted).

[Helene Dakesh]

"If this one were indulging a fetish, perhaps. But this one... it is fundamentally disgusting to most people, leaving them repulsed by my form."

[Varric]

I guess? Couldn't pay me any amount of coin (or love) to.. that, with anyone. "Maybe so. Probably easier to turn to magic again. Illusion or a summons," Varric allows. 

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is capable of--" They break off, averting their gaze. "The physical touching is not the problem. There is... this one is told that when performed with another mortal, the acts gain more significance."

[Varric]

"That is... what I've heard as well." Closest I ever got was with... "So you really want a romantic relationship, not just sex. Admittedly harder. If you were able to get them from separate sources that would be easier. But lesser, to you. Hmmm."

[Helene Dakesh]

"It doesn't matter. It is impossible. This one will adjust to the--"

They stop, abruptly. "Oh. Can the ritual be modified to remove the drive for such activities when it removes the possibility?"

[Varric]

"Sure. Anything is possible. Feasible is another matter. But... Should be, yeah. The stronger the drive, the harder but... Yeah."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one is long-lived. As you may be aware, long lived races do not burn so brightly as short-lived in this regard. Birth rates among Samsarsn are also historically lower than elves, as if our multiple lives were considered when creating us."

[Varric]

"Then yeah. Easy enough to remove the physical aspects of the drive I'd imagine, though I'm no healer. Layer in a mental compulsion if that's not enough." Varric shrugs. "Definitely want to make it an item then, just in case you ever change your mind or get the chance to uh, not... repress."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods slowly. "If we create the ritual and a counter-ritual, we could avoid the cost of building an item. But this could... thank you, Friend Tethras. Friend Varric. This one... appreciates your dedication."

[Varric]

Varric looks startled. "Well, yeah, of course. Why-" the dwarf pauses a moment, mulling something over. "When you get a chance, you should do some research on the finer points of Orzammar dwarven clan structure and... ethics, I suppose. A thought. Anyway, we should eat before this gets warm. Or cold, depending on the food in question."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "Of course. Thank you."

[NPCs]

It's late the following evening, the last day the group is planning to stay in Golden Green, and Caver is currently doing pretty much what he's been doing for the last two days- playing with, training and looking after the mabari pups with Merrill. The bitch, dubbed Agatha by Varric for reasons he'd not shared, keeps a firm eye on the two mortals, but seems to appreciate the assistance. From what Merrill said, she's unbonded and rather old to be whelping, so having someone to help out is probably a relief to the new mother. Hunter, the only male, has just retreated from an irate Silence, the eldest of the four, when Carver's primary override is tripped, causing him to dump one of the two unnamed girl pups in Merrill's hands and bolt.

Beth is screaming.